R&R Steering Column and Dash Gages

[Mike Phillips]

R&R Steering Column and Dash Gages


As a part of removing the 4-speed manual transmission and replacing it with a 700R4 automatic transmission, I need to replace the steering column with a steering column that will work with an automatic transmission.

The Jimmy I bought included a steering column with the Tilt Steering option as well as the Automatic Shifter option, below are some picture.  The truck also came with a set of Dash Gages that are in better physical condition than the set currently in the truck.

So while I have the truck dismantled as far as I do at this pint, (4-speed and transfercase is out of the truck, interior is stripped of seats and transmission hump), I figured it was the best time to swap out the original steering column with the extra column that came with the truck and remove the tired looking gages with the spare set that came with the truck.

As we being this project, does anyone on this forum that has "Been there and done that" have any tips, suggestions or feedback?


Thanks ahead of time....


Pictures

[Mike Phillips]

As you can see from the pictures the components are kind of dirty so we're going to start the cleaning process now.  Hopefully this will be a bolt in, hook-up, no problems switcheroo.   


    

[Mike Phillips]

Here's where I'm at now...

I have the original column out, there are some differences, see the pictures below... the extra one that came with the Jimmy doesn't have as many electrical plugs on it as the original?

Plus, the electrical plug on the column has different prongs inside it than the one that come with mine.

Is there anyway to adapt the Automatic shifter column to my dash?

[VileZambonie]

You'll have to swap over the ignition switch, (might just want to get a new one while you're in there) and you'll have to wire up the P/N switch so the truck won't start in gear and so you'll have back up lamps. If the turn signal switch is different you'll have to swap that too.

[Mike Phillips]

You'll have to swap over the ignition switch, (might just want to get a new one while you're in there) and you'll have to wire up the P/N switch so the truck won't start in gear and so you'll have back up lamps. If the turn signal switch is different you'll have to swap that too.

So are you saying I can more or less disassemble the original, extract the wiring components from it and add them to the new column after removing the similar components from the new column and it will be good to go?

Now where did I put that black tape and the Gorilla tape....

 

[HAULIN IT]

Mike, I believe the tilt/non-tilt ignition switches are different. Check with a parts store. The wires from your clutch safety switch should plug on the neutral safety switch on the bottom of the automatic column. I believe there is a jumper harness by the pedals that goes to the reverse light switch on the manual transmission, you unplug it & plug it on the auto column for your reverse lights. It's been many years since I did one of those swaps, but that's what I'm thinking off of the top of my head. The clear lens comes off of the gauge cluster, if you want to just change it to fix your cloudy problem. The Amp/Volt difference will foul you up, so it will be best to leave what you have. The auto shift indicator can be installed on your existing gauge cluster. Are you going to change the pedal also? Good Luck, Lorne

[Mike Phillips]

Garage Project - 1975 GMC Jimmy - R&R Transmission & Transfercase
 

 
 
We bought this knowing we would have to remove the 4-speed manual transmission and replace it with an automatic and part of the process will be to remove the original steering column and replace it with a steering column that came in a Jimmy with an automatic so we'll have the tranny shifter on the column.
 
Here's before...

 

 
 
Removing the Clutch Pedal as it's no longer needed....

 
 
Clutch Pedal Gone...
 

 
 
 
And here's where it's at tonight...

 
 
 
The Jimmy not only came with a auto-shifting steering column for the swap but also with a nice set of late model gages to replace the old and worn out gages in the truck right now.
 
Before - Current gages

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
One little crack in the plastic cover

 
 
Process - PlastX Applied by Hand

 

 
 
After

 
 
 
 
 
The 4-speed transmission and transfercase are now out of the Jimmy and the 700R4 going in has been rebuilt, upgraded with all the go-fast goodies and a shift kit too. Dana Sniff here in Irvine tricked it out for us and replaced all the wimpy internals with the best-of-the-best components for solid shifting and best performance.
 
Out with the old technology and worn out parts...

 
 
 
 
 
Using an ATV Jack to remove the transmission and transfercase.

 
 
Using the BB Method to get the transfercase and tranny off the ATV Jack after it's far enough away from the clutch/flywheel and the shifter has cleared the hump in the floor pan.
 

 

 
 
 
Plenty of room for working under the truck...

 
 

 
 
 
That's as far as we could get before it became dark outside...
 
 

[Prong]

Uhhh, you do know that going to those newer gauges with the volts instead of amps is different, right? Otherwise you'll have be doing some unexpected wiring work in short order...

[Mike Phillips]

Uhhh, you do know that going to those newer gauges with the volts instead of amps is different, right? Otherwise you'll have be doing some unexpected wiring work in short order...

No, I didn't know that, but that's why I joined this forum and post questions with pictures, to get help from people that know more about this topic than I do and that have been there and done that and can help prevent me from making mistakes.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention, I did not know about the amps versus volts wiring issue, all I knew was my gages look bad and in a box of misc parts that came with the Blazer was this newer set of gages that I was hoping would bolt in and plug in and work as normal.  Now I'll see about polishing out the plastic on the gages I already have or ordering a new plastic face for them them while I have the column out.

Thank you.   

[Captkaos]

DON'T Plug in that 78-up cluster in the '75, you will burn it up.  I would suggest keeping the original cluster unless you plan to rewire the whole truck.

You can put the plastic off the cleaned one on the old one most likely.

To get the PRNDLL on the old column, just unbolt that section and pull the black tape off.

On the column, I would get a new Ingition switch, or you can swap it over.

[Mike Phillips]

Thanks for all the advice.

Going to go look at the column wiring set-up right now, if the replacement column didn't have the tilt option I would leave the original column in and go with a Lokar Shifter for the automatic.

Thanks again, this is a very helpful forum.

Mike